Logan Stankoven

January 2023 – Stankoven played for Team Canada in World Juniors and helped them win a gold medal. He was the second-best player of the whole tournament, only behind Connor Bedard. He recorded three goals and 11 points in only seven games. He is expected to lead the Kamloops Blazers to a Memorial Cup this season. Taylor Newby

August 2022 – Stankoven had an amazing showing at the World Junior Championship. With ten points in seven games, Stankoven was an incredibly important piece of Canada’s gold-medal winning team. He equally had an assist on Kent Johnson’s golden goal. Aaron Itovitch

June 2022 – It is becoming clear already that the 2021 draft will have some gems. Due to Covid, some players appeared to fall significantly in the draft, and Stankoven, drafted 47th looks like he should have been a first round selection. In the more defensive league of the WHL, Stankoven managed a phenomenal 104 points and 45 goals in just 59 games (1.76 points per game). Always in movement, Stankoven is always useful on the ice, no matter which zone he is in. His size is not ideal, only 5-8 and 170 pounds, but his size should not hold him back much. Winning the Four Broncos Memorial Trophy (WHL Player of the Year) and the Brad Hornung Memorial Trophy (Most Sportsmanlike), less than one year removed from being a mid-2nd round pick, Stankoven is cementing himself as an absolute fantastic pick by the Dallas Stars. Continuing Dallas’ trend of sending prospects back to junior for a second year, it is likely Stankoven gets the chance to dominate the WHL once more, although with his development going so well, do not be surprised if he is a serious contender for a roster spot on opening night. Aaron Itovitch

July 2021 – Stankoven was selected in the second round, 47th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 2021 NHL Draft. Nick Richard

February 2021 – What he lacks in stature, he makes up for in talent. Logan Stankoven plays with the pedal to the metal and loves getting involved in all three zones. He isn’t the most aesthetically pleasing skater to watch but he generates power at a decent rate and doesn’t have underwhelming speed or agility. He could work on the technique but he doesn’t lack mobility. His biggest weapon is his ridiculous release. He possesses one of the best shots in the draft and doesn’t shy away from using it. He finished last season with 29 goals and would have likely topped 30 in his age-16 season had COVID-19 not shut down the season prematurely. What makes Stankoven’s shot so dangerous is his ability to change angles and shoot from a variety of positions without sacrificing his pop. Whether it be a quick curl and drag or a one-time pass into his feet, Stankoven’s natural shooting ability is high-end. He gets to the dirty areas and has more strength than expected at just 5’8″ and 170lbs, preventing him from being consistently bullied in those areas. Whether it be at the net-front or in the corners, Stankoven’s strong core allows him to frame up and compete for his ice with most defenders. He will need to continue to get stronger as he develops but there is no reason to think it is not a possibility based on his growth and development thus far.

As a playmaker, Stankoven shows flashes of creativity and touch but doesn’t always look to utilize his teammates effectively. This seems to be more of an issue with choosing whether or not to make the pass than it is about the skill. As Stankoven matures and develops, he should become a bit more of a reliable playmaker which should only make his shot more effective. He is an effective defensive player on most shifts if for nothing more than effort. He isn’t always in the correct position but he reads the play well and can jump passes. Whether it be along the boards or into open ice, Stankoven thrives when he is moving his feet. When he is on his defensive game, he can be a dog on a bone. There is always room for growth from young players and that will come in better understand where to be off the puck and when to jump in and out of lanes as the game gets a bit faster at the next levels. There is a lot to like in the undersized sniper’s game, especially from an offensive toolset standpoint. He has positional versatility, with the ability to play center or the wing. The NHL doesn’t love undersized centers and there aren’t many in the league as a whole but Stankoven could be the exception to the rule but it’s no guarantee. With the WHL season set to get underway within the next month, for the most part, the Kamloops Blazer will likely be among the last to start as the BC Division is the only one yet to announce any return to play schedule. The provincial government will need to work with league officials in order to get the BC Division going but without word, the waiting game is all they have. When the Blazers do get back on the ice, Stankoven will likely have a starring role as he looks to fill the net in a shortened season during his draft year. Tony Ferrari